Ebola: Information Minister Orders Nationwide Public Enlightenment Campaign

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has directed agencies under his ministry to intensify public education and awareness campaigns on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) following the confirmation of a case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the minister.

The agencies directed to scale up their activities include the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Voice of Nigeria (VON) and News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to the statement, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed the case in a woman who recently travelled to Abuja from Uganda. The patient is currently in isolation and receiving treatment, while health authorities have identified and are monitoring her contacts.

Idris emphasised the importance of accurate and timely information in containing the disease, urging the agencies to reach communities across the country with clear information on Ebola transmission, preventive measures and procedures for reporting suspected cases.

He also directed the agencies to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the NCDC to ensure that all public awareness messages are verified and based on scientific evidence.

The minister specifically tasked the NOA with deploying its nationwide network of offices for grassroots sensitisation, in collaboration with traditional and religious leaders, community groups and the media.

The ministry will also strengthen its engagement with broadcast media organisations, including the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), to expand public enlightenment on Ebola prevention and containment.

The collaboration will involve disseminating verified health information, producing and broadcasting public enlightenment jingles, and developing information, education and communication materials in Nigerian languages to ensure wider public understanding.

The minister urged Nigerians to remain calm, rely on official sources for information and refrain from circulating unverified claims on social media.

He further advised members of the public to report suspected Ebola cases immediately through the NCDC’s toll-free, 24-hour emergency line on 6232.